Mulheres brasileiras em mobilidade internacional: vida e carreira em movimento

Abstract

International mobility has become emblematic and desired. The movement of people around the world is full of meaning, social, economic and symbolic components. When becoming mobile, highly qualified Brazilian women experience inflection and decision points in their life and career trajectory, their work relationships and professional aspirations can transform at their own will, or not, generating points of rupture and changes in career. Therefore, this research aims to examine the impact of international mobility on the career trajectory of highly qualified Brazilian women. To this end, the professional trajectories of these women were surveyed, identifying the contextual and individual aspects that led them to international mobility and analyzing the movements in their professional career. With a qualitative approach and descriptive-analytical research, the narrative research method was used to achieve the proposed objective. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews, with a total of 21 women on international mobility interviewed between October and November 2023. As an analysis strategy, content analysis was adopted through the thematic analysis technique, based on the analysis categories defined a priori. Among the main results found, it can be mentioned that the professional trajectory preceding mobility was an impactful factor for subsequent professional choices and there was, throughout the period of international mobility, a relative ease for these women to relocate to work positions. most compatible with your qualification level. However, in many reports, they find themselves stuck and without the possibility of professional growth, in a similar situation to what they were in before international mobility. Even so, they have a positive perspective on their own career when they state that international mobility has enabled a greater balance between personal and professional life and a process of self-knowledge and increased self-confidence. However, the structures placed in relation to being a woman and being Brazilian still present themselves as more or less subtle barriers. This study contributes to more comprehensive discussions and theories that establish a dialogue between studies on gender, careers and international mobility and their implications from both individual and organizational perspectives. It presents practical contributions for women to understand the process of international mobility and prepare themselves better, in addition to contributions to more inclusive organizational practices.